Leading scorer Casey Prather will be available for Florida in road game against Auburn

GAINESVILLE — Athletic trainer Dave “Duke” Werner addressed the team following the Gators’ practice Thursday. With a game against Auburn two days away, Werner implored the players not to let the road matchup trip them.

No. 7 Florida (14-2, 3-0) will be competing for a Southeastern Conference championship come mid-March. As of right now, Auburn (8-6, 0-3) will not. Werner did not want the Gators, come tournament time, wishing they did not fall victim to a trap game.

Florida will have leading scorer Casey Prather available. Prather, averaging 17 points a game, missed the last two games with a bruised right knee.

Coach Billy Donovan said Prather is running and practicing with contact. Donovan is unsure how much he will get out of the 6-foot-6 senior.

The Tigers’ poor conference record is not what it seems. Road games against Ole Miss and Tennessee were decided by a total of 12 points, and a game against Missouri ended in a 70-68 home loss. Saturday’s tip at Auburn Arena does not look any different.

“It’s not like they have been blown out,” Gators center Patric Young said. “We have to go in there with a humble mind-set knowing we have a fight on our hands.”

Auburn is improved from last season’s squad that lost by 31 against Florida at home. The Gators drained a season-high 15 three-pointers on 30 attempts.

Donovan said the Gators know the Tigers have been tested this year. Auburn, led by fourth-year coach Tony Barbee, played a non-conference slate that included then-No. 17 Iowa State and Illinois.

Guards Chris Denson and KT Harrell average a combined 38.4 points per game.

Denson, a lefty, lives in the lane. Donovan described Auburn’s leading scorer as “herky jerky” and one who makes plays with the ball.

Denson and Harrell will test Florida’s frontcourt on defensive rotations.